I can't believe it's been nineteen years since the
Challenger
accident. But then, the building where I watched it happen on TV isn't an
elementary school anymore, but an adult education center where I play
basketball on Thursday nights. I remember how exciting it was watching
the shuttle go up — with the very first school teacher ever. I was
proud because my uncle worked in mission control in Houston. I new I
was going to be an astronaut one day. In fact, I can't ever remember
wanting to be anything but a Navy fighter pilot or an astronaut.
As much as watching it hurt me, it did not for a second give me second
thoughts about what I wanted to be. There haven't
been many experiences in my life that compare to the blow that was to me.
I'm sure the crew of STS-51-L would be proud of the people who continued on
in their absence and would smile at the leaps being taken in private
space-flight.